The Municipality of Sfakia announced the official reopening of the Aradena Gorge, one of the most impressive natural landscapes of Crete, which is now fully accessible to the public after the completion of the necessary maintenance work on the access paths.
Aradena is an alternative exploration proposal, beyond the organized gorges of Samaria and Imbros, combining the wild beauty of the White Mountains with the authentic traditional architecture of the historic village.
Access and route
Access to the gorge from the north is either via the old paths that extend along the gorge or from the settlement of Livaniana. From the south side, visitors can arrive via Marmara beach and then continue:
- by boat to Loutro and Chora Sfakion
- by private means, upon arrangement
- or hiking via the European path E4 to Agia Roumeli (west) or to Lykos, Finika, Loutro, Glyka Nera, and Chora Sfakion (east).
The total hiking route is of moderate difficulty and takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
Points of interest
Top points of interest include:
- The iconic Vardinoyannis bridge, known for bungee jumping,
- The traditional settlement of Aradena,
- The impressive “Skotini” cave with natural stalactites in the center of the gorge.
Instructions and safety
The Municipality of Sfakia recommends that visitors be properly prepared, bringing the required equipment (appropriate clothing, plenty of water, etc.) and to observe all self-protection measures.
Contact and useful telephone numbers
For more information or to schedule organized visits, interested parties can contact the services of the Municipality of Sfakia.
In case of emergency:
European Emergency Number: 112
Sfakia Police Station: 28250 91205
Anopolis Fire Brigade: 28250 91252, -91299
Sfakia Town Port Station: 28250 91292
The Municipality of Sfakia invites residents and visitors to discover yet another natural treasure of the area and to live an authentic experience in the field of hiking, nature, and Cretan hospitality.
